Trainee Dental Nurse

As a Trainee Dental Nurse with King's College Hospital you will undergo clinical and theoretical training to be able to work effectively as a dental nurse. The training will lead to completion in the Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing (City & Guilds) and registration with the General Dental Council. This is a great opportunity to earn whilst you learn to develop your skills and knowledge in a hands-on role; whilst gaining the City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing which is a nationally recognised qualification. Your contract will be fixed term for 18 months. You will be employed for 36 hours per week. This is a salaried position and trainees are employed by King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust for up to a period of 18 months Band 2.
Your working week will be Monday to Friday and you will be expected to work 7.5 hours per day between the hours of 8.30am - 4.45pm. As a Trainee Dental Nurse, you will provide chair-side support within the dental hospital across a range of departments and specialities. These will include:
- Children's & Adults Dentistry
- Oral Surgery
- Orthodontic Treatment
- Community & Special Care
- Primary Dental Care
Trainee Dental Nurses will be under the supervision of qualified dental nurses at all times whilst gaining their experience in the departments of the institute., Attend all teaching sessions, tutorials and portfolio development sessions to ensure that you receive maximum benefit from the training provided.
- Co-operate with your trainers and assessors in the completion of portfolios, assessment record, projects and assignments which are designed to help you learn and show your competence as a dental nurse.
- Attend all personal review sessions to enable you to discuss your progress and identify any developmental needs, so that you can continue to improve.
- Provide support to other dental nurse trainees.
- Make effective use of the resources provided by the Centre.
- Maintain and present all documentary evidence in a well organised manner.
- Adhere to training agreement/contract, which is reviewed periodically.
- Act in a professional manner during work hours.
- Meet with the external visitors on quality assurance inspections.
- To assist managers in ensuring that there is adequate service provision and staff to assist with pandemic incidents in line with the Pandemic People Management Policy. This may include redeployment to other clinical areas within the trust.
Trainee Dental Nurses will be under the supervision of qualified dental nurses whilst gaining experience in the departments of the institute.
Dental Nursing Duties will include -
- Receive and prepare patients, ensuring a sensitive approach in the provision of patient centred care. Fostering people's equality, diversity and rights.
- Provide chairside nursing care and close support during all dental procedures to include: preparing instruments and equipment, aspirating, irrigating, retracting and protecting dental soft tissue.
- Anticipate the operator's requirements and demonstrate good practice in efficient and effective care, maintaining confidentiality.
- Undertake safely and effectively decontamination, disinfection and sterilisation of instruments and equipment ready for use. Prevent cross infection or damage to instruments and equipment.
- Undertake day to day cleaning, restocking and maintenance of dental instruments, dental handpieces and equipment ensuring that they work effectively. Reporting any items, which need repair to the Senior Dental Nurse.
- Record accurately as directed by the operator, the conditions of the oral cavity and the necessary treatment on the appropriate chart, laboratory radiographic form. Ensuring ease of reference through legibility and confidentiality.
- Mix the correct quantity of impression material, cement, cavity lining, permanent and temporary restorative materials, according to the manufacturer's instructions ensuring that they are used to best effect and ensure correct levels of stock are maintained.
- Assist the operator when offering information to individuals on protection of their Oral Health (and support them in doing so).
- Demonstrate oral hygiene techniques to the patient (under the direction and supervision of the operator) instructing them to adopt an effective health care programme to prevent the occurrence of dental disease.
- Contribute to the controlling of an efficient appointment diary ensuring accurate information is recorded and transfer to relevant patient management systems. Communicating effectively to patients on the telephone.
- Testing clinical equipment as directed by the Senior Dental Nurse and reporting faults. Record testing data on the relevant log sheets.
- Promote effective communication and relationships, to contribute to the team approach.
- Process specific x-ray images and have basic understanding of the working of radiography equipment.
- Assist members of the dental team during clinical procedures, rotating through the various clinical departments on all the sites within the institute.
- Liaise with Dental, Technical, Nursing and Clerical Staff to provide a reliable team approach in the provision of total patient care.

be over the age of 16 by the start date and not currently in full time education
- be eligible to work in the United Kingdom
- hold a GCSE qualification in English at a Level 4 or Grade C, or equivalent

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of £1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level.
We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.
King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.